Autonomous Connection Switching in a Wireless Communication Network

ABSTRACT

An access point of a wireless communication network serves a connection to a user equipment. The access point determines a plurality of target access points. Further, the access point sends a message to the user equipment. The message indicates the plurality of target access points and authorizes the user equipment to autonomously switch the connection to one or more of the target access points.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/114,163, which was filed on Jul. 26, 2016, which is anational stage application of PCT/CN2014/071844, which was filed Jan.30, 2014, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods for managing a connectionbetween a user equipment and a wireless communication network and tocorresponding devices.

BACKGROUND

For cellular networks, e.g., as specified by 3GPP (3rd GenerationPartnership Project), handover (HO) procedures are defined which allowfor maintaining an ongoing connection of a user equipment (UE) whilemoving between different serving cells.

For example, in the case of the LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology,such HO procedures are specified in 3GPP TS 36.331 V12.0.0 (2014-01). Inthese HO procedures, the UE which is in a mode referred to as“RRC_connected”, i.e., has an active connection to the cellular network,typically monitors a set of neighboring cells. These measurements maytrigger sending of a measurement report from the UE to its serving basestation, in the LTE technology referred to as eNB (evolved Node B). Atypical example of such triggering event, referred to as “Event A3”,corresponds to the measurement result for the neighboring cell beingbetter than the present serving cell plus an offset. The measurementresult may for example be expressed in terms of Reference SignalReceived Power (RSRP) or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). Thetriggering event further requires that such condition is met for acertain minimum duration, specified by a parameter referred to as“timeToTrigger”. On the basis of the measurement report, the serving eNBdecides whether a HO of the UE should be performed or not. When decidingto perform a HO of the UE, the serving eNB prepares the HO by sending aHO request to an eNB controlling a target cell for the HO. As a part ofthis HO request, the serving eNB also provides context information ofthe UE, e.g., concerning a current Access Stratum (AS) configuration andUE-specific Radio Resource Management (RRM) information. In response,the eNB controlling the target cell generates a HO command. The servingeNB then forwards the HO command to the UE. This is done in atransparent manner, i.e., the information provided to the UE isdetermined at the eNB controlling the target cell and not modified bythe serving eNB. The HO command which is sent to the UE for exampleincludes the identity, and optionally the frequency, of the target celland RRC information common to all UEs in the target cell, such asinformation required to perform a random access, a dedicated radioresource configuration; a security configuration, or a cell-specificradio network temporary identity (C-RNTI) to be used in the target cell.Using such information, the UE may then proceed by performing a randomaccess to the target cell. If the random access is successful, the UEconfirms successful completion of the HO to the eNB controlling thetarget cell, which then becomes the new serving eNB for the UE.

In some scenarios, a network initiated HO may also be performed withouta preceding Event A3 and measurement report from the UE. In such a case,the UE does not know the target cell before receiving the HO commandfrom the serving eNB.

As can be seen, the above-mentioned known HO procedure requires rathercomplex interaction between the serving eNB, the eNB controlling thetarget cell, and the UE, which means that such a HO can be timeconsuming.

To meet future demands on wireless communication networks, a networkdeployment referred to as Ultra Dense Network (UDN) is being discussed(see, e.g., Ericsson White Paper “5G Radio Access”, June 2013, publishedin the Internet). For such a UDN it is suggested to use a large numberof densely deployed access points (APs) and to utilize higher bandwidthsand higher frequency bands than for example in the LTE technology, e.g.,a bandwidth of several 100 MHz or even up to the GHz range and afrequency band in the range of 10-100 GHz.

A typical application scenario for a UDN deployment is in highlypopulated areas such as hot spots, office buildings, or urban centers,which may have a demand of high data rate service.

However, it can be expected that for such UDN deployment in a highfrequency band weak scattering and diffraction may cause a significantattenuation difference between NLOS (non line of sight) and LOS (line ofsight) radio links. Consequently, there may be a lot of areas with weaksignal levels or even sudden signal outage, i.e., radio coverage holes.Accordingly, existing mobility concepts may not be adequate for suchdeployments. For example, the higher density of APs may result in anexcessive amount of HO procedures and unacceptable signalling overheador service degradation. Further, a sudden signal outage may even havethe effect that a conventional network-initiated HO procedure asmentioned above cannot be performed, e.g., because the signal outageprevents the UE from sending the measurement report or receiving the HOcommand.

Accordingly, there is a need for techniques which allow for efficientlymanaging the connection of a UE to a wireless communication network.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, a method of managing aconnection between a UE and a wireless communication network isprovided. According to the method, an access point of the communicationnetwork serves the connection to the UE. The access point determines aplurality of target access points. Further, the access point sends amessage to the UE. The message indicates the plurality of target accesspoints and authorizes the UE to autonomously switch the connection toone or more of the target access points.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a method of managinga connection between a UE and a wireless communication network isprovided. According to the method, a UE receives a message from anaccess point of the communication network, which access point currentlyserves the connection of the UE to the wireless communication network.The message indicates a plurality of target access points and authorizesthe UE to autonomously switch the connection to one or more of theindicated target access points. According to the method, the UE furtherdetects a triggering event. In response to detecting the triggeringevent, the UE switches the connection to one or more of the targetaccess points.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, an access point fora wireless communication network is provided. The access point comprisesradio interface for serving a connection to a UE. Further, the accesspoint comprises at least one processor. The at least one processor isconfigured to determine a plurality of target access points. Further,the at least one processor is configured to send a message to the UE.The message indicates the plurality of target access points andauthorizes the UE to autonomously switch the connection to one or moreof the target access points.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a UE is provided.The UE comprises a radio interface for establishing a connection to awireless communication network. Further, the UE comprises at least oneprocessor. The at least one processor is configured to receive a messagefrom an access point of the communication network, which access pointcurrently serves the connection of the UE to the wireless communicationnetwork. The message indicates a plurality of target access points andauthorizes the UE to autonomously switch the connection to one or moreof the indicated target access points. Further, the at least oneprocessor is configured to detect a triggering event and, in response todetecting the triggering event, switch the connection to one or more ofthe target access points.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a computer programor computer program product is provided, e.g., in the form of anon-transitory storage medium, which comprises program code to beexecuted by at least one processor of an access point for a wirelesscommunication network. Execution of the program code causes the at leastone processor to determine a plurality of target access points. Further,execution of the program code causes the at least one processor to senda message to the UE. The message indicates the plurality of targetaccess points and authorizes the UE to autonomously switch theconnection to one or more of the target access points.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a computer programor computer program product is provided, e.g., in the form of anon-transitory storage medium, which comprises program code to beexecuted by at least one processor of a UE. Execution of the programcode causes the at least one processor to receive a message from anaccess point of the communication network, which access point currentlyserves the connection of the UE to the wireless communication network.The message indicates a plurality of target access points and authorizesthe UE to autonomously switch the connection to one or more of theindicated target access points. Further, execution of the program codecauses the at least one processor to detect a triggering event and, inresponse to detecting the triggering event, switch the connection to oneor more of the target access points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a network deployment for implementingautonomous connection switching in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a signaling diagram for illustrating an exemplaryconnection switching procedure in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a signaling diagram for illustrating a further exemplaryconnection switching procedure according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the invention, which may be used for implementingfunctionalities for connection switching according to an embodiment ofthe invention in an access point.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the invention, which may be used for implementingfunctionalities for connection switching according to an embodiment ofthe invention in a UE.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates exemplary structures of an access pointaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates exemplary structures of a UE accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following, concepts according to embodiments of the inventionwill be explained in more detail by referring to the accompanyingdrawings. The illustrated concepts relate to management of connectionswitching in a wireless communication network. In the illustratedembodiments, it is assumed that the wireless communication network isbased on a UDN deployment. In particular, the wireless communicationnetwork may use densely spaced access points, e.g., with distancesbetween neighboring access points in the range of 1 m to 1000 m,typically in the range of 2 m to 500 m. Further, the access points mayoperate in a radio frequency band between 10 GHz and 100 GHz, whichmeans that there can be a significant difference in link quality betweena LOS link and a NLOS link. However, it is to be understood that theillustrated concepts could be applied in a corresponding manner to otherradio technologies, e.g., LTE, UMTS (Universal Terrestrial MobileTelecommunications System) or Wideband CDMA (Code Division MultipleAccess), or CDMA2000.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates structures of the wirelesscommunication network and an exemplary UE 50. In particular, FIG. 1illustrates a plurality of access points 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4 ofthe wireless communication network, which may be used by the UE 50 forconnecting to the wireless communication network. Here, it should benoted that a connection between the UE 50 and the wireless communicationnetwork may be formed by selecting an appropriate access point 100-1,100-2, 100-3, 100-4 and setting up a radio link between the UE 50 andthis access point 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4. In the exemplary scenarioillustrated in FIG. 1, the connection is formed by a radio link to theaccess point 100-1. This access point 100-1, which maintains the activeconnection between the UE 50 and the wireless communication network, mayalso be referred to as serving access point of the UE 50. In some cases,a connection may also utilize multiple radio links to different accesspoints 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, which may then cooperatively servethe UE 50.

As mentioned above, the wireless communication network may utilize ahigh frequency band in the range of 10 GHz to 100 GHz, in particular afrequency band above 30 GHz, such as in the range around 60 GHz. Thisfrequency region above 30 GHz is also referred to as MMW (MillimetreWave) band.

In such high frequency band, relatively high radio attenuation andrelatively low radio diffraction have the effect that typically a LOSradio link will have significantly better quality than a NLOS radiolink. However, since a LOS radio link radio link is sensitive topropagation obstacles, fast switching of the connection betweendifferent access points 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, may be necessary tomaintain the connection. For example, due to movement of the UE 50 anobstacle may affect the LOS radio link to the access point 100-1, whichmeans that switching of the connection to another access point 100-2,100-3, 100-3, 100-4 is needed. Similar effects may occur in the case ofmoving propagation obstacles, e.g., a person moving into the LOS betweenthe UE 50 and the current serving access point 100-1. Because thetransition from a LOS condition to a NLOS condition may occur suddenly,there is a risk of a sudden failure of the radio link to the currentserving access point 100-1. This may in turn have the effect that the UE50 is no longer able to report measurements to the serving access point100-1 and that the serving access point 100-1 is not able to sendcontrol commands to the UE 50. Accordingly, a conventional HO procedureas for example described in 3GPP TS 36.331 may not be applicable inthese circumstances.

According to the concepts as further explained in the following, theabove situation may be addressed by managing the switching of theconnection between the access points 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, in sucha way that it can be autonomously performed by the UE 50. For thispurpose, the current serving access point 100-1 may proactively send amessage to the UE 50 for authorizing the UE 50 to autonomously switchthe connection to one or more target access points indicated in themessage. Accordingly, the overall management of the connection is stillnetwork based, but the actual switching process may be performedautonomously by the UE 50. In the following, the above message will alsobe referred to as switching authorization message. The switchingauthorization message may be sent at an early point of time, beforeswitching of the connection to another access point becomes necessaryand while the radio link to the current serving access point 100-1 isstill intact. The switching authorization message may also includeinformation with respect to the different indicated target access pointsto be used be the UE 50 when switching the connection to one or more ofthese target access points. For example, such information may includeconfigurations of the target access points, switching conditions, usableradio resources, configurations to be used by the UE 50 to access thetarget access points, or the like. The UE 50 may then decide whether andwhen to perform the switching and also select the most appropriatetarget access point(s) from the indicated target access points. This isaccomplished in an autonomous manner, i.e., without requiring furtherinteraction between the UE 50 and the current serving access point100-1. Accordingly, fast switching of the connection is also possible insituations where the radio link to the current serving access point100-1 fails. In this way, the illustrated concepts may allow foravoiding a service interruption due to a complete failure of the ongoingconnection.

Various conditions may be evaluated by the current serving access pointfor triggering sending of the switching authorization message. Forexample, the current serving access point may perform measurements andtrigger sending of the switching authorization message depending onthese measurements. Such measurements may for example pertain to thequality of the radio link between the UE 50 and the current servingaccess point 100-1 or to the velocity at which the UE 50 moves.

FIG. 2 further illustrates the above concepts by referring to anexemplary procedure of switching the connection of the UE 50 from thecurrent serving access point 100-1 to another access point 100-2.

In the procedure of FIG. 2, the connection between the UE 50 and thewireless communication network is established at step 201. Asillustrated, the connection is established by setting up a radio linkbetween the UE 50 and the access point 100-1. The access point 100-1thus becomes the serving access point for the UE 50.

At step 202, the access point 100-1 detects a triggering event. Thetriggering event may for example correspond to the establishment of theconnection at step 201. Further, the triggering event may be based oncertain measurements and/or evaluations performed by the access point100-1. For example, the access point 100-1 could measure and evaluatethe quality of the radio link between the UE 50 and the access point100-1, e.g., in terms of a channel quality indicator, beacon powerlevel, or achievable bitrate. The triggering event could then correspondto the quality of the radio link being below a given threshold value.Further, the access point 100-1 could determine a probability of afailure of the radio link between the UE 50 and the access point 100-1.For example, this could be accomplished on the basis of statisticalinformation on radio coverage holes in a radio coverage area of theaccess point 100-1 and on information on the position or movement of theUE 50. Further, the access point 100-1 could measure a velocity of theUE 50, e.g., by evaluating radio signals transmitted by the UE 50, andthe triggering event could correspond to the velocity of the UE 50exceeding a given threshold value. In this case, it can be taken intoaccount that a fast moving UE is more likely to require switching toanother access point than a slowly moving or static UE. Further, theaccess point 100-1 may evaluate whether a switching authorizationmessage which was previously sent to the UE 50 is still valid oroutdated and trigger sending the switching authorization message whenthe previously sent switching authorization message is no longer valid.This may for example be accomplished by providing a timer which is reseteach time when the access point 100-1 sends a new switchingauthorization message to the UE 50 and using expiry of the timer as thetriggering event.

At step 203, the access point 100-1 determines a plurality of targetaccess points which constitute candidates to which the connectionbetween the UE 50 and the wireless communication network may beswitched. In the illustrated exemplary procedure, it is assumed thatthese target access points are the access points 100-2 and 100-3. Theaccess point 100-1 may apply various criteria for determining the targetaccess points 100-2, 100-3. For example, the access point 100-1 mayselect access points which are located in a moving direction of the UE50 or access points which provide radio coverage in radio known coverageholes in the coverage area of the access point 100-1.

The access point 100-1 then sends the switching authorization message204 to the UE 50. This may be accomplished over a control channelsupported by the radio link between the UE 50 and the access point100-1. The switching authorization message indicates the target accesspoints 100-2, 100-3 determined at step 203. Further, the switchingauthorization message 204 authorizes the UE 50 to autonomously switchthe ongoing connection to one or more of the target access points 100-2,100-3 indicated in the switching authorization message 204, withoutrequiring further interaction between the UE 50 and the access point100-1.

The switching authorization message 204 may carry various kinds ofinformation which may be used by the UE 50 for performing the autonomousswitching of the connection. For example, the switching authorizationmessage 204 may indicate one or more conditions for triggering theswitching at the UE 50. Such condition may for example correspond tomeasurements performed by the UE 50 indicating that the expected radiolink quality of one of the target access points 100-2, 100-3 exceeds theradio link quality of the current serving access point 100-1 by a givenamount. Further, such condition may correspond to measurements performedby the UE 50 indicating that the radio link quality of the currentserving access point 100-1 is below a first threshold and the expectedradio link quality of one of the target access points 100-2, 100-3 isabove a second threshold. As a further example, such condition maycorrespond to a failure of the radio link to the current serving accesspoint 100-1 or interruption of the connection.

Further, the switching authorization message 204 may indicateinformation concerning each of the indicated target access points 100-2,100-3. For example, such information may include an identity of thetarget access point 100-2, 100-3, e.g., in terms of an index. Further,such information may include a sequence, timing, and/or radio resourcesused for a beacon or pilot signal transmitted by the target access point100-2, 100-3. Further, information concerning communication protocolsused by the target access point may be included. Such protocolinformation may in particular be useful if the access points 100-1,100-2, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, differ with respect to the utilized radioaccess technology. Further, such information may include a radioresource mapping of a control channel of the target access point 100-2,100-3. Further, such information may indicate the radio accesstechnology used by the target access point 100-2, 100-3. Further, suchinformation may include system information for accessing the targetaccess point 100-2, 100-3, e.g., in the form of a random access preambleor in terms of a cell-specific temporary identifier (e.g., a C-RNTI) tobe used by the UE 50.

Still further, the switching authorization message 204 may includeinformation to be applied by the UE 50 for selecting between thedifferent target access points 100-2, 100-3 indicated in the switchingauthorization message 204, e.g., in the form of a priority order orselection policy.

The switching authorization message 204 may be valid for a given timeperiod. Such time period may be preconfigured in the UE 50 and theaccess points 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4 of the wireless communicationnetwork. Further, such time period may be dynamically set for eachswitching authorization message. In the illustrated exemplary procedure,the access point 100-1 could set the time period before sending theswitching authorization message 204 and indicate the time period in theswitching authorization message 204. The UE 50 is then authorized toautonomously perform the switching while the time period has not yetexpired. Expiry of the time period may be monitored by providing acorresponding timer in the UE 50. The access point 100-1 may set thetime period for example depending on the current velocity of the UE 50.For example, if the UE 50 is moving at high velocity, a shorter timeperiod may be suitable. In certain cases, the switching authorizationmessage 204 could also be valid until a specified event, e.g., receiptof a new switching authorization message or release of the connectionbetween the UE 50 and the wireless communication network. In certainscenarios, the switching authorization message 204 may override apreviously sent switching authorization message or may be overridden bya later sent switching authorization message.

In addition to sending the switching authorization message 204, theaccess point 100-1 also provides information concerning the UE 50 to thetarget access points 100-2, 100-3 determined at step 203, as illustratedby messages 205 and 206. Such information may for example include acontext of the UE 50 as provided for maintaining the connection betweenthe UE 50 and the wireless communication network. In addition, theaccess point 100-1 may also start forwarding user plane data destined tothe UE 50 to the target access points 100-2, 100-3. In this way, thetarget access points 100-2, 100-3 may be prepared to immediatelycontinue serving the UE 50 after switching the connection. Theinformation provided to the target access points 100-2, 100-3 may alsoindicate the validity time period of the switching authorization message204. Here, it may be beneficial to indicate a validity time period tothe target access points which is larger than the validity time periodapplied by the UE 50, thereby ensuring that the target access points100-2, 100-3 are prepared also in cases where the UE 50 attemptsswitching of the connection at the very end of the validity time periodindicated to the UE 50. If the access point 100-1 has determined apriority order of the target access points 100-2, 100-3, the accesspoint 100-1 may send the information to the different target accesspoints 100-2, 100-3 in the order of decreasing priority.

Upon receiving the switching authorization message 204, the UE 50 maystart monitoring procedures with respect to the target access points100-2, 100-3 indicated in the switching authorization message 204. Forexample, the UE 50 may perform measurements to determine which of theindicated target access points 100-2, 100-3 provides the highestexpected radio link quality. After such determination, the UE 50 maycontinue monitoring only the target access point 100-2, 100-3 with thehighest expected radio link quality. In other scenarios, the UE 50 maycontinue to monitor all the indicated target access points 100-2, 100-3.The monitoring may use information provided in the switchingauthorization message 204, e.g., sequence, timing, and/or radioresources used for a beacon or pilot signal transmitted by the targetaccess point 100-2, 100-3.

However, the UE 50 performs no immediate switching of the connection.Rather, the UE 50 performs switching of the connection action only inresponse to detecting a triggering event, as illustrated by step 207.Such triggering event may be preconfigured in the UE 50 or may beindicated in the switching authorization message 204. For example, thetriggering event may correspond to a failure of the radio link betweenthe UE 50 and the current serving access point 100-1. Further, suchtriggering event may correspond to measurements performed by the UE 50indicating that the expected radio link quality of one of the targetaccess points 100-2, 100-3 exceeds the radio link quality of the currentserving access point 100-1 by a given amount. Further, such triggeringevent may correspond to measurements performed by the UE 50 indicatingthat the radio link quality of the current serving access point 100-1 isbelow a first threshold and the expected radio link quality of one ofthe target access points 100-2, 100-3 is above a second threshold.

In response to detecting the triggering event at step 207, the UE 50initiates switching of the connection to one of the target access points100-2, 100-3 indicated in the switching authorization message 204. Forthis purpose, the UE 50 may also select between the indicated targetaccess points 100-2, 100-3, as indicated by step 208. For example, theUE 50 may select the target access point 100-2, 100-3 which provides thehighest expected radio link quality. In the illustrated exemplaryprocedure, it is assumed that the UE 50 selects the target access point100-2. As illustrated by step 209, the UE 50 then performs the switchingof the connection by setting up a new radio link to the target accesspoint 100-2 selected at step 208, which then becomes the new servingaccess point for the UE 50.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further exemplary procedure of switching theconnection of the UE 50 from the current serving access point 100-1 toanother access point 100-2. The procedure of FIG. 3 is in many aspectssimilar to that of FIG. 2. However, in the procedure of FIG. 3 adifferent process is used for providing the target access point 100-2with information concerning the UE 50.

In the procedure of FIG. 3, the connection between the UE 50 and thewireless communication network is established at step 301. Asillustrated, the connection is established by setting up a radio linkbetween the UE 50 and the access point 100-1. The access point 100-1thus becomes the serving access point for the UE 50.

At step 302, the access point 100-1 detects a triggering event. Thetriggering event may for example correspond to the establishment of theconnection at step 301. Further, the triggering event may be based oncertain measurements and/or evaluations performed by the access point100-1. For example, the access point 100-1 could measure and evaluatethe quality of the radio link between the UE 50 and the access point100-1, e.g., in terms of a channel quality indicator, beacon powerlevel, or achievable bitrate. The triggering event could then correspondto the quality of the radio link being below a given threshold value.Further, the access point 100-1 could determine a probability of afailure of the radio link between the UE 50 and the access point 100-1.For example, this could be accomplished on the basis of statisticalinformation on radio coverage holes in a radio coverage area of theaccess point 100-1 and on information on the position or movement of theUE 50. Further, the access point 100-1 could measure a velocity of theUE 50, e.g., by evaluating radio signals transmitted by the UE 50, andthe triggering event could correspond to the velocity of the UE 50exceeding a given threshold value. In this case, it can be taken intoaccount that a fast moving UE is more likely to require switching toanother access point than a slowly moving or static UE. Further, theaccess point 100-1 may evaluate whether a switching authorizationmessage which was previously sent to the UE 50 is still valid oroutdated and trigger sending the switching authorization message whenthe previously sent switching authorization message is no longer valid.This may for example be accomplished by providing a timer which is reseteach time when the access point 100-1 sends a new switchingauthorization message to the UE 50 and using expiry of the timer as thetriggering event.

At step 303, the access point 100-1 determines a plurality of targetaccess points which constitute candidates to which the connectionbetween the UE 50 and the wireless communication network may beswitched. In the illustrated exemplary procedure, it is assumed thatthese target access points are the access points 100-2 and 100-3. Theaccess point 100-1 may apply various criteria for determining the targetaccess points 100-2, 100-3. For example, the access point 100-1 mayselect access points which are located in a moving direction of the UE50 or access points which provide radio coverage in radio known coverageholes in the coverage area of the access point 100-1.

The access point 100-1 then sends the switching authorization message304 to the UE 50. This may be accomplished over a control channelsupported by the radio link between the UE 50 and the access point100-1. The switching authorization message 304 indicates the targetaccess points 100-2, 100-3 determined at step 303. Further, theswitching authorization message 304 authorizes the UE 50 to autonomouslyswitch the ongoing connection to one or more of the target access points100-2, 100-3 indicated in the switching authorization message 304,without requiring further interaction between the UE 50 and the accesspoint 100-1.

The switching authorization message 304 may carry various kinds ofinformation which may be used by the UE 50 for performing the autonomousswitching of the connection. For example, the switching authorizationmessage 304 may indicate one or more conditions for triggering theswitching at the UE 50. Such condition may for example correspond tomeasurements performed by the UE 50 indicating that the expected radiolink quality of one of the target access points 100-2, 100-3 exceeds theradio link quality of the current serving access point 100-1 by a givenamount. Further, such condition may correspond to measurements performedby the UE 50 indicating that the radio link quality of the currentserving access point 100-1 is below a first threshold and the expectedradio link quality of one of the target access points 100-2, 100-3 isabove a second threshold. As a further example, such condition maycorrespond to a failure of the radio link to the current serving accesspoint 100-1 or an interruption of the connection.

Further, the switching authorization message 304 may indicateinformation concerning each of the indicated target access points 100-2,100-3. For example, such information may include an identity of thetarget access point 100-2, 100-3, e.g., in terms of an index. Further,such information may include a sequence, timing, and/or radio resourcesused for a beacon or pilot signal transmitted by the target access point100-2, 100-3. Further, information concerning communication protocolsused by the target access point 100-2, 100-3 may be included. Suchprotocol information may in particular be useful if the access points100-1, 100-2, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4 differ with respect to the utilizedradio access technology. Further, such information may include a radioresource mapping of a control channel of the target access point 100-2,100-3. Further, such information may indicate the radio accesstechnology used by the target access point 100-2, 100-3. Further, suchinformation may include system information for accessing the targetaccess point 100-2, 100-3, e.g., in the form of a random access preambleor in terms of a cell-specific temporary identifier (e.g., a C-RNTI) tobe used by the UE 50.

Still further, the switching authorization message 304 may includeinformation to be applied by the UE 50 for selecting between thedifferent target access points 100-2, 100-3 indicated in the switchingauthorization message 304, e.g., in the form of a priority order orselection policy.

The switching authorization message 304 may be valid for a given timeperiod. Such time period may be preconfigured in the UE 50 and theaccess points 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5 of the wirelesscommunication network. Further, such time period may be dynamically setfor each switching authorization message. In the illustrated exemplaryprocedure, the access point 100-1 could set the time period beforesending the switching authorization message 304 and indicate the timeperiod in the switching authorization message 304. The UE 50 is thenauthorized to autonomously perform the switching while the time periodhas not yet expired. Expiry of the time period may be monitored byproviding a corresponding timer in the UE 50. The access point 100-1 mayset the time period for example depending on the current velocity of theUE 50. For example, if the UE 50 is moving at high velocity, a shortertime period may be suitable. In certain cases, the switchingauthorization message 304 could also be valid until a specified event,e.g., receipt of a new switching authorization message or release of theconnection between the UE 50 and the wireless communication network. Incertain scenarios, the switching authorization message 304 may overridea previously sent switching authorization message or may be overriddenby a later sent switching authorization message.

Upon receiving the switching authorization message 304, the UE 50 maystart monitoring procedures with respect to the target access points100-2, 100-3 indicated in the switching authorization message 304. Forexample, the UE 50 may perform measurements to determine which of theindicated target access points 100-2, 100-3 provides the highestexpected radio link quality. After such determination, the UE 50 maycontinue monitoring only the target access point 100-2, 100-3 with thehighest expected radio link quality. In other scenarios, the UE 50 maycontinue to monitor all the indicated target access points 100-2, 100-3.The monitoring may use information provided in the switchingauthorization message 304, e.g., sequence, timing, and/or radioresources used for a beacon or pilot signal transmitted by the targetaccess point 100-2, 100-3.

However, the UE 50 performs no immediate switching of the connection.Rather, the UE 50 performs switching of the connection action only inresponse to detecting a triggering event, as illustrated by step 305.Such triggering event may be preconfigured in the UE 50 or may beindicated in the switching authorization message 304. For example, thetriggering event may correspond to a failure of the radio link betweenthe UE 50 and the current serving access point 100-1. Further, suchtriggering event may correspond to measurements performed by the UE 50indicating that the expected radio link quality of one of the targetaccess points 100-2, 100-3 exceeds the radio link quality of the currentserving access point 100-1 by a given amount. Further, such triggeringevent may correspond to measurements performed by the UE 50 indicatingthat the radio link quality of the current serving access point 100-1 isbelow a first threshold and the expected radio link quality of one ofthe target access points 100-2, 100-3 is above a second threshold.

In response to detecting the triggering event at step 305, the UE 50initiates switching of the connection to one of the target access points100-2, 100-3 indicated in the switching authorization message 304. Forthis purpose, the UE 50 may also select between the indicated targetaccess points 100-2, 100-3, as indicated by step 306. For example, theUE 50 may select the target access point 100-2, 100-3 which provides thehighest expected radio link quality. In the illustrated exemplaryprocedure, it is assumed that the UE 50 selects the target access point100-2. As illustrated by step 307, the UE 50 then performs the switchingof the connection by setting up a new radio link to the target accesspoint 100-2 selected at step 306, which then becomes the new servingaccess point for the UE 50.

When switching the connection at step 307, the UE 50 also indicates anidentity of the previous serving access point 100-1, e.g., in terms ofan index, to the new serving access point 100-2. The new serving accesspoint 100-2 may then use this identity to send a request 308 forinformation concerning the UE 50 to the previous serving access point100-1.

In response to the request 308, the access point 100-1 providesinformation concerning the UE 50 to the new serving access point 100-2,as illustrated by message 309. Such information may for example includea context of the UE 50 as provided for maintaining the connectionbetween the UE 50 and the wireless communication network.

The connection switching procedures as explained above may also be usedtogether with other kinds of connection switching procedures, e.g., aconnection switching procedure in which the UE 50 is instructed by thecurrent serving access point to immediately switch to a certain targetaccess point. In such cases, the autonomous switching procedure could beused as a backup for cases where an instruction for immediate switchingis not possible, e.g., due to a failure of the radio link between the UE50 and the current serving access point. Accordingly, if the UE 50 firstreceives the switching authorization message and then a command forimmediate switching of the connection, the UE 50 may first attempt toperform the immediate switching and, if this immediate switching fails,continue with the autonomous switching procedure.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method which may be used forimplementing the above concepts in an access node of a wirelesscommunication network, e.g., in one of the access nodes 100-1, 100-2,100-3, 100-4. If a processor based implementation of the access point isused, the steps of the method may be performed by one or more processorsof the access point. For this purpose, the processor(s) may executecorrespondingly configured program code. Further, at least some of thecorresponding functionalities may be hardwired in the processor(s).

At step 410, the access point serves a connection between a UE, e.g.,the UE 50, and the wireless communication network. The connection isbased on a radio link between the UE and the access point. In somescenarios, the connection may further be based on additional radio linksbetween the UE and other access points.

At step 420, the access point detects a triggering event. Various kindsof triggering events may be used. For example, the access point may sendthe message in response to establishing the connection between the UEand the communication network. Further, the access point may determine afailure probability of a radio link between the UE and the access pointand send the message in response to the failure probability being abovea threshold. Further, the access point may measure a quality of a radiolink between the user equipment and the access point and send themessage in response to the quality of the radio link being below athreshold. Further, the access point may measure a velocity of the UEand send the message in response to the velocity being above athreshold. Further, the access point may send the message in response todetermining that a further plurality of target access points, which waspreviously indicated to the user equipment, is no longer valid. In theexemplary procedures of FIGS. 2 and 3 this is accomplished byconsidering the validity time period of the switching authorizationmessage.

At step 430, the access point determines a plurality of target accesspoints. This determination may for example be based on measurementsperformed by the access point.

At step 440, the access point sends a message to the UE. The messageindicates the target access points determined at step 430 and authorizesthe UE to autonomously switch the connection to one or more of thetarget access points. As explained above, this autonomous switching doesnot require further interaction between the UE and the access point. Theabove-mentioned switching authorization messages 204 and 304 areexamples of such message.

The message may further indicate a condition to be evaluated by the UEfor triggering the switching to said one or more of the target accesspoints. For example, such condition may be based on measurementsperformed by the UE, e.g., to determine a radio link qualities. Forexample, the switching may be triggered when a radio link qualityexpected for one of the target access points exceeds a radio linkquality of the access point by a given amount. Further, the switchingmay be triggered when a radio link quality expected for one of thetarget access points is above a first threshold and a radio link qualityof the access point is below a second threshold. Further, the switchingmay be triggered if a radio link between the UE and the access pointfails.

For each of the target access points, the message may further indicateinformation to be used by the UE for connecting to this target accesspoint. For example, this may include a information on radioconfiguration, access parameters, radio resources, a cell-specifictemporary identifier to be used by the UE, or the like. Further, themessage may indicate a priority order of the target access points.

Further, the access point may send, to each of the plurality of targetaccess points, information related to the UE. This information may beused by the target access points to prepare for a potential switching ofthe connection. As explained above, this information may in particularinclude a context of the UE, as used for maintaining the ongoingconnection between the UE and the wireless communication network. As analternative, the access point may also send such information afterswitching of the connection to one or more of the plurality of targetaccess points. In such cases, the access point may receive a requestfrom the target access point to which the connection was switched andsend the information related to the UE in response to the request tothis target access point.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method which may be used forimplementing the above concepts in a UE, e.g., in the UE 50. If aprocessor based implementation of the UE is used, the steps of themethod may be performed by one or more processors of the UE. For thispurpose, the processor(s) may execute correspondingly configured programcode. Further, at least some of the corresponding functionalities may behardwired in the processor(s).

At step 510, establishes a connection to a wireless communicationnetwork, e.g., a wireless communication network using a deployment asexplained in connection with FIG. 1. The connection is based on a radiolink between the UE and an access point of the wireless communicationnetwork. In some scenarios, the connection may further be based onadditional radio links between the UE and other access points.

At step 520, the UE receives a message from the access point whichcurrently serves the connection. The message indicates a plurality oftarget access points and authorizes the UE to autonomously switch theconnection to one or more of the target access points. As explainedabove, this autonomous switching does not require further interactionbetween the UE and the access point. The above-mentioned switchingauthorization messages 204 and 304 are examples of such message. In somescenarios, the UE may receive the message in response to establishingthe connection between the UE and the communication network.

For each of the target access points, the message may further indicateinformation to be used by the UE for connecting to this target accesspoint. For example, this may include a information on radioconfiguration, access parameters, radio resources, a cell-specifictemporary identifier to be used by the UE, or the like. Further, themessage may indicate a priority order of the target access points.

At step 530, the UE determines whether a triggering event occurred. If atriggering event occurred, the method continues with steps 540 and 550,as indicated by branch “Y”. If no triggering event occurred, the methodcontinues with step 560, as indicated by branch “N”.

The triggering event may be based on a quality of a radio link betweenthe UE and the target access points indicated in the message, asmeasured by the UE. The triggering event may also be based on a qualityof a radio link between the UE and the access point, as measured by theUE. For example, the triggering event may correspond to a radio linkquality expected for one of the target access points exceeding a radiolink quality of the access point by a given amount. Further, thetriggering event may correspond to a radio link quality expected for oneof the target access points being above a first threshold and a radiolink quality of the access point being below a second threshold.Further, the triggering event may correspond to failure of a radio linkbetween the UE and the access point or interruption of the connection.The message of step 520 may also indicate a condition to be evaluated bythe UE for triggering the switching to the target access point(s) andthe triggering event may be based on said indicated condition.

At step 540, the UE may select one or more target access points from theplurality of target access points indicated in the message of step 520.This may be accomplished on the basis of information indicated in themessage of step 520. For example, the message may indicate, a priorityorder of the target access points, and the UE may determine select thetarget access points depending on the indicated priority order.Alternatively, also more complex selection policies may be applied bythe UE and may also be indicated in the message, e.g., selectionpolicies which are based on measurements performed by the UE.

At step 550, the UE switches the connection to the target accesspoint(s) selected at step 540. This may be accomplished on the basis ofinformation indicated in the message of step 520. In particular, themessage may indicate, for each of the indicated target access points,information to be used by the UE for connecting to this target accesspoint, and the UE may performs the switching on the basis of thisindicated information. In some scenarios, after switching to the targetaccess point, the UE may also indicate information related to the accesspoint, e.g., an identity of the access point, to this target accesspoint. If this target access point becomes the new serving access pointfor the UE, it may use this information for obtaining informationrelated to the UE from the previous serving access point.

At step 560, if no triggering event was detected at step 530, the UE maykeep the current access point(s) for maintaining the connection.

It is to understood that the methods of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be used incombination, e.g., in a system formed of a UE, which operates accordingto the method of FIG. 5, and an access point currently serving the UE,which operates according to the method of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary structures of an access point for awireless communication network which may be used to implement the aboveconcepts. For example, the illustrated structures may be used toimplement the above-described functionalities of the access point 100-1which currently serves the connection between the UE 50 and the wirelesscommunication network.

In the illustrated example, the access point includes a radio interface610 which may be used for serving a connection between the wirelesscommunication network and a UE. Further, the access point may include abackhaul interface 620 which may be used for communication with othernodes of the wireless communication network, e.g., other access pointsor gateway nodes.

Further, the access point includes one or more processor(s) 650 coupledto the interfaces 610 and 620, and a memory 660 coupled to theprocessor(s) 650. The memory 660 may include a read-only memory (ROM),e.g., a flash ROM, a RAM, e.g., a dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM(SRAM), a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solid state disk, or thelike. The memory 660 includes suitably configured program code modulesto be executed by the processor(s) 650 so as to implement thefunctionalities as described in connection with the method of FIG. 4, inparticular functionalities as explained above for the access node 100-1.More specifically, the program code modules in the memory 660 mayinclude a measurement module 670 so as to implement the above-describedfunctionalities of performing measurements for triggering the sending ofthe switching authorization message or for determining the target accesspoints indicated in the switching authorization message. Further, theprogram code modules in the memory 660 may include a connectionmanagement module 680 so as to implement the above-mentionedfunctionalities of serving a the connection between the UE and thewireless communication network, selecting target access points orhandling communication with such target access points, and sending theswitching authorization message. Still further, the memory 660 mayinclude a control module 690 so as to implement general controlfunctionalities, such as control of the radio interface, processingmessages, controlling forwarding of data, or the like.

It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 6 aremerely schematic and that the access point may actually include furthercomponents which, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated,e.g., further interfaces or further processors. Also, it is to beunderstood that the memory 660 may include further types of program codemodules, which have not been illustrated, e.g., program code modules forimplementing known functionalities of an access point. In someimplementations, also a computer program may be provided forimplementing functionalities of the access point, e.g., in the form of aphysical medium storing the program code modules to be stored in thememory 660 or by making such program code available for download.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary structures of a UE which may be used toimplement the above concepts. For example, the illustrated structuresmay be used to implement the above-described functionalities of the UE50.

In the illustrated example, the UE includes a radio interface 710 whichmay be used for establishing a connection to a wireless communicationnetwork.

Further, the UE includes one or more processor(s) 750 coupled to theinterfaces 710 and 720, and a memory 760 coupled to the processor(s)750. The memory 760 may include a ROM, e.g., a flash ROM, a RAM, e.g., aDRAM or SRAM, a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solid state disk, orthe like. The memory 760 includes suitably configured program codemodules to be executed by the processor(s) 750 so as to implement thefunctionalities as described in connection with the method of FIG. 5, inparticular functionalities as explained above for the UE 50. Morespecifically, the program code modules in the memory 760 may include ameasurement module 770 so as to implement the above-describedfunctionalities of performing measurements for triggering the switchingor selecting a target access point among multiple candidates. Further,the program code modules in the memory 760 may include a connectionmanagement module 780 so as to implement the above-mentionedfunctionalities of maintaining the connection between the UE and thewireless communication network, selecting a target access point, andperforming the switching of the connection as authorized by theswitching authorization message. Still further, the memory 760 mayinclude a control module 790 so as to implement general controlfunctionalities, such as control of the radio interface, processingcontrol messages, or the like.

It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 7 aremerely schematic and that the UE may actually include further componentswhich, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated, e.g., furtherinterfaces or further processors. Also, it is to be understood that thememory 760 may include further types of program code modules, which havenot been illustrated, e.g., program code modules for implementing knownfunctionalities of a UE. In some implementations, also a computerprogram may be provided for implementing functionalities of the UE,e.g., in the form of a physical medium storing the program code modulesto be stored in the memory 760 or by making such program code availablefor download.

As can be seen, the concepts as described above may be used forefficiently managing the connection of the UE to the wirelesscommunication network. In particular, by authorizing the UE toautonomously switch the connection to one or more from a plurality oftarget access points, it becomes possible to perform the connectionswitching even if the radio link between the UE and the current servingaccess point of the UE fails.

It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments as explainedabove are merely illustrative and susceptible to various modifications.For example, the illustrated concepts could be used in connection withvarious types of wireless communication networks networks, withoutlimitation to the UDN technology used in the above-described exemplaryimplementations. Moreover, it is to be understood that the aboveconcepts may be implemented by using correspondingly designed softwareto be executed by one or more processors of an existing device, or byusing dedicated device hardware.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of managing a connection between a userequipment and a wireless communication network, the method comprising:an access point of the communication network serving the connection tothe user equipment; the access point determining a plurality of targetaccess points; the access point sending a message to the user equipment,the message indicating the plurality of target access points andauthorizing the user equipment to autonomously switch the connection toone or more of the target access points; and the message furtherindicating a condition to be evaluated by the user equipment fortriggering the switching to the one or more of the target access points.2. The method of claim 1 wherein the message further indicates multipleconditions to be evaluated by the user equipment for triggering theswitching to the one or more of the target access points.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein the message further indicates, for each of the targetaccess points, information to be used by the user equipment forconnecting to this target access point, and/or a priority order of thetarget access points.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: theaccess point sending the message in response to establishing theconnection between the user equipment and the communication network;and/or the access point determining a failure probability of a radiolink between the user equipment and the access point and sending themessage in response to the failure probability being above a threshold;and/or the access point measuring a quality of a radio link between theuser equipment and the access point and sending the message in responseto the quality of the radio link being below a threshold; and/or theaccess point measuring a velocity of the user equipment and sending themessage in response to the velocity being above a threshold; and/or theaccess point sending the message in response to determining that afurther plurality of target access points, which was previouslyindicated to the user equipment, is no longer valid.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising the access point sending, to each of theplurality of target access points, information related to the userequipment for preparing this target access point for a potentialswitching of the connection.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprisingafter switching of the connection to one or more of the plurality oftarget access points, the access point: receiving a request from thistarget access point; and in response to the request, sending informationrelated to the user equipment to this target access point.
 7. A methodof managing a connection between a user equipment and a wirelesscommunication network, the method comprising: a user equipment receivinga message from an access point of the communication network, the accesspoint currently serving the connection of the user equipment to thewireless communication network and the message indicating a plurality oftarget access points and authorizing the user equipment to autonomouslyswitch the connection to one or more of the indicated target accesspoints; the user equipment detecting a triggering event; in response todetecting the triggering event, the user equipment switching theconnection to one or more of the target access points; the messagefurther indicating a condition to be evaluated by the user equipment fortriggering the switching to said one or more of the target accesspoints; and wherein the triggering event is based on the indicatedcondition.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the triggering event isbased on a quality of a radio link between the user equipment and theone or more of the target access points, as measured by the userequipment.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the triggering event isbased on a quality of a radio link between the user equipment and theaccess point, as measured by the user equipment.
 10. The method of claim7 wherein the triggering event comprises an interruption of theconnection.
 11. The method of claim 7 wherein: the message furtherindicates multiple conditions to be evaluated by the user equipment fortriggering the switching to the one or more of the target access points;and the triggering event is based on at least one of the indicatedmultiple conditions.
 12. The method of claim 7 wherein: the messagefurther indicates, for each of the indicated target access points,information to be used by the user equipment for connecting to thistarget access point and the user equipment performs the switching to theone or more of the target access points on the basis of the indicatedinformation; and/or the message further indicates a priority order ofthe target access points, and the user equipment determines the one ormore of the target access points depending on the indicated priorityorder.
 13. The method of claim 7 further comprising the user equipmentreceiving the message in response to establishing the connection betweenthe user equipment and the communication network.
 14. The method ofclaim 7 further comprising, after switching to the one or more of thetarget access points, the user equipment indicating information relatedto the access point to this target access point.
 15. An access point fora wireless communication network, the access point comprising: a radiointerface for serving a connection to a user equipment; and at least oneprocessor configured to: determine a plurality of target access points;send a message to the user equipment, the message indicating saidplurality of target access points and authorizing the user equipment toautonomously switch the connection to one or more of the target accesspoints; and indicate a condition to be evaluated by the user equipmentfor triggering the switching to the one or more of the target accesspoints.
 16. The access point of claim 15 wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to indicate multiple conditions to beevaluated by the user equipment for triggering the switching to the oneor more of the target access points.
 17. The access point of claim 15wherein the at least one processor is further configured to indicate,for each of the target access points, information to be used by the userequipment for connecting to this target access point, and/or a priorityorder of the target access points.
 18. The access point of claim 15wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: send themessage in response to establishing the connection between the userequipment and the communication network; and/or determine a failureprobability of a radio link between the user equipment and the accesspoint and send the message in response to the failure probability beingabove a threshold; and/or measure a quality of a radio link between theuser equipment and the access point and send the message in response tothe quality of the radio link being below a threshold; and/or measure avelocity of the user equipment and send the message in response to thevelocity being above a threshold; and/or send the message in response todetermining that a further plurality of target access points, which waspreviously indicated to the user equipment, is no longer valid.
 19. Theaccess point of claim 15 wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to send, to each of the plurality of target access points,information related to the user equipment for preparing this targetaccess point for a potential switching of the connection.
 20. The accesspoint of claim 15 wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to, after switching of the connection to one or more of theplurality of target access points: receive a request from this targetaccess point; and in response to the request, send information relatedto the user equipment to this target access point.
 21. A user equipment,comprising: a radio interface for establishing a connection to awireless communication network; and at least one processor configuredto: receive a message from an access point of the communication network,the access point currently serving the connection of the user equipmentto the wireless communication network and the message indicating aplurality of target access points and authorizing the user equipment toautonomously switch the connection to one or more of the indicatedtarget access points; detect a triggering event; and in response todetecting the triggering event, switch the connection to one or more ofthe target access points; wherein the message further indicates acondition to be evaluated by the user equipment for triggering theswitch to the one or more of the target access points; and wherein thetriggering event is based on the indicated condition.
 22. The userequipment of claim 21 wherein the triggering event is based on a qualityof a radio link between the user equipment and the one or more of thetarget access points, as measured by the user equipment.
 23. The userequipment of claim 21 wherein the triggering event is based on a qualityof a radio link between the user equipment and the access point, asmeasured by the user equipment.
 24. The user equipment of claim 21wherein the triggering event comprises an interruption of theconnection.
 25. The user equipment of claim 21 wherein: the messagefurther indicates multiple conditions to be evaluated by the userequipment for triggering the switching to the one or more of the targetaccess points; and the triggering event is based on at least one of theindicated multiple conditions.
 26. The user equipment of claim 21wherein: the message further indicates, for each of the indicated targetaccess points, information to be used by the user equipment forconnecting to this target access point and wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to perform the switch to the one or moreof the target access points on the basis of the indicated information;and/or the message further indicates a priority order of the targetaccess points, and wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to determine the one or more of the target access pointsdepending on the indicated priority order.
 27. The user equipment ofclaim 21 wherein the at least one processor is further configured toreceive the message in response to establishing the connection betweenthe user equipment and the communication network.
 28. The user equipmentof claim 21 wherein the at least one processor is further configured to,after switching to the one or more of the target access points, indicateinformation related to the access point to this target access point. 29.A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions storedthereon that, when executed by at least one processor of an access pointfor a wireless communication network, causes the access point to:determine a plurality of target access points; send a message to theuser equipment, the message indicating said plurality of target accesspoints and authorizing the user equipment to autonomously switch theconnection to one or more of the target access points; and indicate acondition to be evaluated by the user equipment for triggering theswitching to the one or more of the target access points.
 30. Anon-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions storedthereon that, when executed by at least one processor of a userequipment, causes the user equipment to: receive a message from anaccess point of the communication network, the access point currentlyserving the connection of the user equipment to the wirelesscommunication network and the message indicating a plurality of targetaccess points and authorizing the user equipment to autonomously switchthe connection to one or more of the indicated target access points;detect a triggering event; and in response to detecting the triggeringevent, switch the connection to one or more of the target access points;wherein the message further indicates a condition to be evaluated by theuser equipment for triggering the switch to the one or more of thetarget access points; and wherein the triggering event is based on theindicated condition.